enunciate
Americanverb (used with object)
-
to utter or pronounce (words, sentences, etc.), especially in an articulate or a particular manner.
He enunciates his words distinctly.
-
to state or declare definitely, as a theory.
-
to announce or proclaim.
to enunciate one's intentions.
verb (used without object)
verb
-
to articulate or pronounce (words), esp clearly and distinctly
-
(tr) to state precisely or formally
Other Word Forms
- enunciability noun
- enunciable adjective
- enunciation noun
- enunciative adjective
- enunciatively adverb
- enunciator noun
- enunciatory adjective
- nonenunciative adjective
- nonenunciatory adjective
- reenunciate verb
- unenunciable adjective
- unenunciated adjective
- unenunciative adjective
Etymology
Origin of enunciate
First recorded in 1615–25; from Latin ēnūntiātus (past participle of ēnūntiāre ), equivalent to ē- “from, out of” ( see e- 1) + nūnti(us) “messenger, message” + -ātus suffix ( see -ate 1)
Explanation
Can't get your point across? Maybe you just need to speak more clearly or articulate your thoughts better — in short, enunciate. Good enunciation is similar to pronunciation, but describes more specifically how clearly someone expresses themselves. The word enunciate is related to the Latin words for both "announce" and "messenger." So most likely those ancient Romans who created the word wanted a messenger who could announce things without mumbling, grumbling, and rambling.
Vocabulary lists containing enunciate
Unit 1: Telling Details
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Tongues Untied: The Lingo of Linguistics
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100 SAT Words Beginning with "E"
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
And I don’t enunciate and I can’t say half the words in the English language to this day.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 16, 2024
He doesn't think screen acting has changed much over the decades but he does have a grumble about "mumbling" - actors who fail to enunciate their lines.
From BBC • Mar. 17, 2023
As with “queer,” she’s out to enunciate all the meanings and manifestations of “freedom” that our current conversation obscures.
From New York Times • Sep. 2, 2021
“Seinfeld”: In the episode “The Great Mask Debate,” Elaine tries to get Kramer to enunciate the “k” in that phrase.
From Washington Post • Jan. 21, 2021
"García de la Torre," Laura would enunciate carefully, giving her maiden as well as married name when they first arrived.
From "How the García Girls Lost Their Accents" by Julia Alvarez
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
